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Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Oyster orgy, Mooney Mooney



Did somebody order oysters?



A happy bivalve-loving crew headed to Mooney Mooney last weekend, a picturesque spot on the Central Coast that overlooks the Hawkesbury River. It wasn't that far really. Less than 50 kilometres north of Sydney, most of our driving time was spent trying to get out.


Wadham Oysters

A corrugated iron shack was where our oyster deal took place. Between 9 of us, we ordered 9 dozen. Broken Bay Pacifics. It'll take about ten minutes to shuck those, we were told.

We waited outside and kicked at the mountain of abandoned oyster shells. Crunch crunch, they complained.


Oysters ready for shucking

The white posts in the river were a tantalising reminder that only a brave swim separated us from the oyster farms below. The minutes ticked by until... success! A flurry of plastic bags and an outbreak of smiles.


Sink debris

Plans for a picnic in the local park were abandoned when the wind chill factor froze us cold. Instead an indoor luncheon at Kt's parents' up the road. Homecooked goodies emerged from car boots and backpacks. Bakery boxes cluttered the counter top and breads of all different kinds littered the chopping board.

And oysters? Yes, there were a few!


Homemade antipasti by K


Breadboard with sourdough and homemade Irish soda bread


Oysters


Homemade antipasti by K


Homemade marinated chicken wings by K


Broken Bay Pacific oyster

I had oysters with lemon juice, with Thai garlic dipping sauce, with homemade green chilli paste, and others not adulterated at all. I found them a little mild but then I've always been a devout Sydney Rock oyster fan, resplendent in briney minerals and the taste of the sea.


Homemade Irish soda bread by M

M's famous Irish soda bread was probably a tastier highlight. It was heavy and dense with a wonderful nuttiness in both the oat dusted crust and moist insides. It was delicious slathered with butter and, upon M's suggestion, even better dressed with a dollop of honey.


Cherry clafoutis

Desserts were another force to be reckoned with: cherry clafoutis, homemade meringues, a sweet sticky orange syrup cake and slices of tiger roll, named for its tiger-striped crust.


Homemade meringues by X


Tiger roll sponge cake from Bread Top


Homemade peanut butter biscuits by me

I brought along a tin of homemade peanut butter biscuits (recipe here).

I wish I'd brought along an extra stomach too.


Broken Bay Pacific Oysters from Les Wadham
10 Kowan Road, Mooney Mooney
Tel: +61 (02) 9985 9704

Related GrabYourFork posts:
Peanut Butter Biscuit Recipe
13 comments - Add some comment love

posted by Helen (Grab Your Fork) on 9/25/2007 10:39:00 pm


13 Comments:

  • At 9/25/2007 11:09 pm, Blogger thanh7580 said…

    I love oysters too. Of late, I've been experimenting with lots of different toppings. Suggestions from other bloggers of Tobasco sauce with lemon worked really well I found. I also like the simple lemon and pepper combo. Sweet soy sauce fried with ginger, spring onion, sugar, garlic and sesame oil also works great.

     
  • At 9/26/2007 8:42 am, Blogger Nora B. said…

    Such a wonderful feast. I actually prefer pacific to Sydney oysters so this would be right up my alley. I'll have to check this place out.

     
  • At 9/26/2007 10:34 am, Blogger jismgor said…

    Hi helen,

    i was wondering how much the oysters cost.

     
  • At 9/26/2007 4:29 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    This is the kind of feast I like!!

     
  • At 9/26/2007 5:49 pm, Blogger PiCkLeS said…

    omg i was there!! did you see me =P hahaha

    we should catch up for a sugar hit suring good food week!

     
  • At 9/26/2007 6:25 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Sounds like the perfect idea for this long weekend coming up! :)

     
  • At 9/26/2007 7:53 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Yum. I love oysters but they have to be kilpatrick or mornay. I can't stand them raw! I love old fashioned bread too and that soda bread looked fantastic

     
  • At 9/27/2007 12:53 am, Blogger Rachel said…

    mmm what a spread ! Been up the hawkesbury and quite a few places there have oysters, went to one that cooked them in many different styles including russian with vodka and sour cream! However, nothing beats the clean fresh taste of an oyster au naturale. Lucky you having so many like-palated buddies :D

     
  • At 9/27/2007 12:54 am, Blogger Helen (Grab Your Fork) said…

    Hi Thanh7580 - Usually I prefer my oysters au naturel, but yes I do confess to enjoying these with G's Thai garlic chilli sauce and deep-fried red onion flakes :)

    Hi Nora B - All the Pacific fans were nodding their heads happily, so all was well.

    Hi Jismgor - We paid $12/dozen. They had extra large ones for $14/dozen.

    Hi Aptronym - Oh yes! The homemade treats were an added bonus!

    Hi Pickles - I've been scouring the GFM guide and definitely have my eye on several Sugar Hits! The more the merrier!

    Hi Lorraine - A great idea indeed, as long as you miss the traditional long weekend traffic snarl :)

    Hi Goldie - Raw oysters are wonderful. I find that kilpatrick and mornay overpowers the flavour too much. I do like Pacifics steamed Chinese style, with lots of ginger, shallot and a splash of soy .

     
  • At 9/28/2007 2:15 am, Blogger Chunky Bacon said…

    http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2005/03/23/1111525227607.html
    ;)

     
  • At 9/29/2007 11:13 pm, Blogger Helen (Grab Your Fork) said…

    Hi Unablogger - Oh yes, oysters are really just one big gonad. And so delicious too!

     
  • At 9/30/2007 10:45 am, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Wow..! oysters and so many good food..! can i come the next time..??

     
  • At 10/02/2007 9:55 pm, Blogger Helen (Grab Your Fork) said…

    Hi Mama Bok - Sure, just come on over :)

     

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